After 12 gruelling weeks of strict diet and exercise, Parkes woman Hayley Wade has come runner-up in her first bikini competition in none other than the Sydney Grand Classic.
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The NSW-based qualifier for the WFF (World Fitness Federation) Universe and NABBA (National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association) World Championships was held at Rooty Hill RSL on June 4.
Hayley – who is a personal trainer and a barista in town – said she has been interested in the sport of bodybuilding and had always wanted to enter into a bikini competition.
“I have been training for years now and wanted to give my training more of a purpose,” she said.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.”
And little did she expect to do so well.
“I think I was more in shock at first, the whole experience was very overwhelming,” Hayley said.
“After it settled in I was so proud of myself, I didn't expect to place at all.
“With or without a medal, just knowing I did everything I could and accomplished my goal was enough for me.”
Iron Works Fitness owner Marc Wheeldon – who has participated in several bodybuilding competitions – helped guide Hayley through the training.
They made adjustments to her cardio and macronutrients (carbs, fats and protein), depending on what her body was doing.
She was also training weights five days a week and completing cardio six days a week.
“By the end of my prep I was doing two hours of cardio a day and my macros also became quite low – I lost a total of 10 kilos in 12 weeks for the competition,” Hayley said.
“I checked in with Marc weekly to get my body fat tracked, weight and measurements.”
Hayley said what was most challenging for her in her preparation for the event was sacrificing a lot of her social life.
“It wasn't necessarily the strict diet, as I was already used to being fairly strict with my nutrition,” she said.
“I would say the amount you have to sacrifice in order to compete, like eating out with my boyfriend, friends and family, and missing out on social events.
“It also took up a lot of my time, I already work full-time and study nutritional medicine part-time.
“When preparing for a competition you have to make time for posing practice, preparing meals, counting your macro nutrients, calories and weighing everything you eat, and by the end of my prep I was spending about three hours in the gym a day so it did become difficult, but you make time for what you really want.”
Hayley described her debut experience as amazing and worthwhile, and something she will consider doing again.
She’s currently looking into competing in the Canberra Classic on September 3.
“I loved the day! I met some lovely girls who I still keep in contact with,” Hayley said.
“I didn't feel nervous all day until I stepped on stage but I enjoyed myself so much.
“The moment I got on stage after working so hard for 12 weeks was indescribable. It made all the hard times worth it.
“I want to motivate and inspire others, and show that you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Hayley was born and raised in Parkes, and is a former student of Middleton Public School and Red Bend Catholic College.
“I would like thank everyone who supported, encouraged and helped me reach my goals, in particular my boyfriend Sam Windle, my best friend Sarah Hogan and my coach Marc Wheeldon,” Hayley said.
“I’d also like to thank all my friends, family and work colleagues for being patient, supportive and understanding with me as I know I wasn't the easiest to deal with at times.”
